As soccer evolves, CSA unveils Strategic Plan

OTTAWA – After more than a year in creating, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) presented on Thursday its newly developed Strategic Plan to the media and public.

The document, entitled Leading a Soccer Nation, states with clarity the four strategic priorities that will guide the Association’s decision making for the period lasting 2014-2018.

The CSA stated that the plan differs from others with a similar objectives, since its methodology represents a departure from internal blueprints produced in the past. It also reflects the energy that now permeates an evolved soccer landscape and collective outlook in the country.

“The 2014-2018 Strategic Plan is based on ideas gathered from coast to coast,” said Victor Montagliani, President of the Canadian Soccer Association, Chair of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, member of CONCACAF’s Executive Committee and member of the FIFA Legal Committee. “It will help us build towards becoming a leading soccer nation and provides the road map to help get us there. It is a product of the passion that pervades the Canadian soccer community...the passion that will assure our success moving forward.”

As part of the Strategic Plan elaboration process, for the first time, the CSA conducted a public outreach initiative from March 17 to 15 June, asking members soccer community to share their thoughts on how to best support the beautiful game. Canadians – fans, players, parents, coaches, officials, administrators, sponsors, vendors and media -- responded by the thousands, filling out an online survey from which strategic imperatives started to take shape.

“Our focus must remain fixed on the key priorities that emerged from our consultations with Canadians and that are outlined in the plan: technical leadership, National Team performance, and growing and governing the game of soccer in Canada,” summarized Montagliani.

The four strategic priorities for the CSA from 2014-18 are:

1. Invest in TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP by supporting our players, coaches and officials at all levels of the sport;2. Ensure CONSISTENT, WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES by our National Teams;3. ENCOURAGE the GROWTH OF THE GAME in our country;4. GOVERN the game in Canada PROFESSIONALLY in collaboration with our partners.

“Canadian soccer is growing up,” added Peter Montopoli, the CSA’s General Secretary. “Expectations are higher. It is a sign that soccer in Canada is maturing, and an indication of its increasing relevance as the largest participation sport in Canada.”

The message that the Canadian Soccer Association is sending to the soccer community is clear: it is ready to guide the technical development of the sport in this country, and plans to do so by leading the process to mandate structure alignment and capitalizing on renewed and expanded partnerships.

“While the road ahead is clear, we can expect bumps along the way,” added Montagliani. “Our diverse community will not always agree, but ultimately we all have the same goal. To be able to stand proud with our fellow Canadians as we build towards becoming a leading soccer nation, one that consistently qualifies for and successfully competes in every single FIFA competition, with the pinnacle event that is the FIFA World Cup.”

True to its mission, the Canadian Soccer Association has spent the last several years growing the game, establishing its expertise in hosting international events, putting its financial house in order, revamping its governance structure and building the Canada Soccer brand.

The next step for the Canadian Soccer Association will be to define the various operational plans that will allow the organization to deliver its four strategic priorities.